Wedding announcement wording can be a challenge

The wedding follows an announcement whose wording tantalizes

There are 26 letters in the alphabet. They are the basis for all words—words of comfort, words of inspiration, questions and answers, etc. Twenty six letters—it seems a small number to cause so much trouble when it comes to wedding announcement wording. Relax. Take a breath. Combining those letters into a well worded wedding invitation can be challenging but fun.

Tradition and etiquette are factors that enter in to writing appropriate wedding announcement wording. The invitation should convey all the information needed to discern all the important details about the event. A wonderfully worded document is useless if it omits the time of the event.

It further is diminished if the address of the venue is incorrect. Proofreading plays an important part in the process of creating wedding announcement wording for once the invitations are printed, it is costly and time consuming to start the process again.

What are the basics?

Think about the wedding. Will it casual or formal? Will there be 20 bridesmaids or two? Will it take place in a cathedral or at sunset on the beach at a seaside resort? The atmosphere and ambiance of the event usually is reflected in the tone of the wedding announcement wording. Many styles of affordable wedding invitations can utilize appropriate type face—plain, script or fancy—that emphasizes the mood of the event.

A sophisticated event warrants the use of decorative announcements that perhaps include silver or gold inks, embossing or silk screen techniques. Some fabulous announcements can be designed to match the tone of the event—whether the groom’s men are wearing designer duds or casual apparel.

In contrast, a casual affair calls for some whimsical stationary and enables use of frivolous enclosures such as glitter or confetti. Imagine opening an announcement of a beach wedding and finding a drizzle of beach sand mixed with silver glitter. Creativity is desirable as long as the basics are clear and the wedding announcement wording relays all the pertinent information.

• The hosts, who are paying for the event• The couple that is being married• The date and time of the wedding• The location of the wedding• The time and location of the reception• A separate response card for replies• Remarks regarding attire; formal, casual, etc.• Remarks regarding reception• Contact information or email address

A general outline sample

All wedding announcement wording should be concise and easy to understand. The spacing on an announcement should lead the eye comfortably from one line to the next without backtracking to re-read something that is not clear.

For instance, “Reception for adults only will be held at...” suffices as a polite way of saying, “No children.” It is upsetting when the tip is ignored and the reception video records squirming youngsters with healthy lungs. Most wedding invitation wording follows a traditional style:

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith proudly invite you to attend the wedding of their daughter Patricia Anne to Dave Randall on Sunday, the Fourth of June, 2010, at nine o’clock in the morning, in the Grand Court of the Museum of Art in Philadelphia. Reception to follow in the Great Library; all adults welcome.

Some options to consider

A famous venue such as a museum need not have an address included in the wedding invitation wording. However, if the location of the event is a private home or a lesser known place such as a hotel or the boardwalk at one of America’s best beaches, always provide specifics.

Classic wedding invitation wording proscribes the use of words instead of numerals when indicating the date and year. The choice is up to you and should correspond with the formality of the occasion. One rule is universal: no mention ever is made about gifts. Talk about gifts is an etiquette no-no.

Some schools of thought maintain that a separate card noting info about the reception be enclosed in the envelope. The reply card often is enclosed separately for ease in sending back to the hosts a prompt response.

The reply card also has a place to indicate the number of people who will attend the reception. Envelopes for the cards are enclosed that are addressed and stamped so that guests will reply in a timely manner. All the invited need do is reply to the invitation—and start shopping for a gift.